Understanding the Role of Technology to Support Breastfeeding

Abstract

Breastfeeding brings benefits for newborns and parents, but can be a challenging process. In this paper, we leverage a mixed-methods approach that builds on the Integrated Behavioural Model (IBM) to explore parents' perspectives toward breastfeeding along with their lived experiences, and examine the role of technology in this setting. Results of twelve semi-structured interviews and 175 online survey responses suggest generally positive attitudes toward breastfeeding and good theoretical knowledge. This is combined with a complex lived experience of breastfeeding where main challenges are situated in practical, emotional, and environmental/societal aspects, which are currently not sufficiently recognised by technology that seeks to support breastfeeding. Building upon our findings, we present points for reflection for the design of technology to support breastfeeding, focusing on the importance of drawing from the lived experience of parents, and ensuring that technology not only casts breastfeeding as an individual but also as a collective effort. CCS CONCEPTS• Human-centered computing → User models.

Virtual Feed: Design and Evaluation of a Virtual Reality Simulation Addressing the Lived Experience of Breastfeeding

“…In addition to general breastfeeding determinants, a growing body of work is starting to acknowledge the relevance of the lived experience of breastfeeding and its impact on parents' ability and intention to continue to breastfeed once a feeding relationship has been established [18,34,59,73]. Many new parents find themselves in an initially overwhelming situation of having to care for an infant, and struggle to align their infant feeding practice with the expectation of their family, health care professionals, and wider society on how they should feed their child [73,79].…”

“…the process [30,73,80]. As a result, parents feel overwhelmed [44] and may doubt their ability to breastfeed [20,44,79].…”

“…However, the reality of breastfeeding is often far more challenging [34,44,79], with many parents experiencing pain [39], difficulties latching the baby [48], and insecurities about their ability to feed their child [20,44,79]. These are intertwined with emotional challenges and practical barriers posed by societal norms and the built environment [73].…”

“…However, despite this potential, existing ICT systems to support breastfeeding overwhelmingly focus on conveying theoretical knowledge [72], e.g., through websites [1,28,38] or mobile apps [22,77]. As a result, the complexity of the lived experience of breastfeeding is rarely reflected in currently available systems [73].…”

Virtual Feed: A Simulated Breastfeeding Experience in Virtual Reality

“…Current antenatal education predominantly focuses on presenting the benefts of breastfeeding and detailing the feeding process, e.g., by employing info-graphics, printed materials, passive media and probes. Technology use in breastfeeding education is often basic [14], and fails to display the lived experience in terms of practical and emotional challenges adequately [15]. Prior work [4,5,14] has speculated about the potential of interactive systems and Virtual Reality (VR) to improve breastfeeding education.…”